After initially announcing plans to discontinue home screen web apps for iPhone users in the European Union (EU), Apple has now reversed its decision. 

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Reintroducing Webs Apps

Apple reverses course on removal of web apps from iPhones in the EU, slated to reintroduce them in final iOS 17.4 release anticipated early this month.

Initially citing compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as the reason behind the move, Apple has now confirmed that European users will once again have access to the same web app experience as before with the upcoming release of iOS 17.4, expected to debut early this month.

Apple's latest developer support document confirms the company's decision to maintain support for Home Screen web apps in the EU. This move comes in response to user requests, ensuring that the existing capability for Home Screen web apps will persist in iOS within the European region. 

Security, Privacy Concerns

Apple underscores that the support for these web apps will uphold the security architecture of WebKit, aligning seamlessly with the stringent security and privacy standards of iOS native apps.

In the latest development regarding Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), Apple has opted to remove them for European users in the second beta version of iOS 17.4. Instead, users are prompted to open the website in Safari when attempting to access PWAs. 

Apple initially justified this decision by citing concerns over security, particularly in light of the Digital Markets Act's requirement to support non-WebKit browser engines.

In a statement issued back in February, the company explained that accommodating web app support with alternative browser engines would entail developing an entirely new integration architecture. 

However, Apple deemed this impractical given the constraints of the DMA and the limited adoption of Home Screen web apps by users.

Also Read: Apple Facing Scrutiny Over iOS Web Apps in EU

The Open Web Advocacy group swiftly voiced its disapproval of Apple's recent reversal. In a statement released in February, the organization highlighted Apple's prolonged period, spanning 15 years, during which it could have fostered genuine browser competition on a global scale. 

They pointed out that even with nearly two years since the finalization of the DMA, Apple had not taken steps to share functionalities historically exclusive to Safari with other browsers. The group emphasized that Apple's inaction and silence on this matter were significant.

EU's Response

The European Union's response to the removal of web apps by Apple didn't convey much satisfaction. In late February, ArsTechnica reported that European Commission officials hinted at potential scrutiny of Apple's decision, suggesting a possible formal investigation. 

According to reports from the Financial Times, regulators reached out to developers to inquire about the repercussions of Apple's Progressive Web App (PWA) removal.

As for what prompted Apple's change of heart, the company has chosen to remain tight-lipped. Rather than offering detailed explanations, Apple is characterizing its reversal as a simple response to user "requests" to continue providing home screen web apps. 

Only European users of the iOS 17.4 beta are currently without web apps, with the expectation that they will regain access once the final version of the software is released.

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